WalkMe Allows Organizations to Move Forward Despite Pandemic

January 7, 2021
WalkMe Allows Organizations to Move Forward Despite Pandemic

 It was a dark and stormy night. The internet connection in Maor Ezer’s Israeli home kicked out only for the senior vice president of marketing at WalkMe to return to a Zoom call via a mobile hotspot.

The scenario speaks to 2020’s challenges and the rewards that can be reaped by those agile enough to quickly adapt from business as usual.

In the case of WalkMe, a digital adoption platform, the decision was to build fast, with company leaders like Ezer believing their product is a solution to challenges that have been amplified during the pandemic.

Conceived when CEO and Co-founder Dan Adika spent two hours walking his mother through a mobile banking site, WalkMe’s mission statement is “bridging the gap between humans and technology,” Ezer explained. He noted statistics demonstrating that many people forget training from a seminar within one day.

A Glass Layer

WalkMe is designed to ease the interface experience, with its WalkMe Workstation serving as the flagship product. The software works with other apps—Google Calendar, SalesForce, etc.—to streamline the process to go from Point A (the idea you have) to Point B (executing that idea).

Operations can be as simple as scheduling vacation or as complex as rolling out a new marketing initiative. Real-time communication essentially eliminates the need for email when presenting feedback, an important feature as international organizations coordinate efforts across multiple continents and time zones.

WalkMe, for instance, has staff in Israel, the U.K. and the U.S. at different points throughout the year.

“Think of WalkMe as a glass layer on top of any app,” Ezer said.

The software builds trails your system will follow, transforming a multi-step process into a one-click move. The technology is built to identify when that trail of crumbs break down (a new password or url, for instance) and either fix itself or alert an actual human to make the correction.

The platform has already won awards for allowing employees to maintain a proper workflow during the pandemic.

Making Connections

WalkMe launched a coming out party of sorts last March. After eight years, WalkMe was ready for its first user conference: WalkMe Realize, to be held in San Francisco. Half of the company was involved, with many expected to make the international trip.

Five days before the event, the company was forced to go virtual. In doing so, it immediately became a test-case for what conferences would like in 2020. Extremely early in the pandemic and without the benefit of watching other virtual shows go on, the team scrambled in Israel and California to produce a high-end show.

Even before Zoom fatigue, Ezer said WalkMe was looking to go beyond the standard video experience. The company rented out studios and spent 10 hours recording content at a quality level similar to “Good Morning America,” Ezer said. Some live content was broadcast as well.

The result was a 500-person foray into events that turned into a 3,000-attendee bonanza, including viewers on LinkedIn Live. A 250% increase in registration materialized in the five days between transitioning the event from live to virtual.

Metrics suggest the technology company proved savvy in its marketing:

  • A LinkedIn post about moving the event boasted 7,073 impressions, 104 reactions, 17 shares and 183 clicks
  • The #walkMeRealize hashtag had more than 250 shares, close to 38,000 impressions and 8,000 engagements
  • LinkedIn Live post-event broadcasts drew just about 2,800 views.

“Honestly, I didn’t think we could pull it off,” Ezer admitted. “We juggled a lot of balls.”

Ultimately, the experience became a case study in how to build the platform’s reputation, reach and customer base.

Looking to capitalize on a chance to be the right system at the right moment, WalkMe initiated multiple events in the past year. Each targeted specific sectors—potential clients. Some may be suited for salespeople, others for human resources or IT departments.

“Our president likes to say, ‘We don’t water the garden with a hose, we water it with a lot of teaspoons,” Ezer said.

While not yet a giant in the field, WalkMe’s clients include roughly 60% of the Fortune 100, Ezer said. IBM, PwC, Walgreens, HP, LinkedIn and Quest Diagnostics are among the companies now using the app.

All indications are that WalkMe is filling a need. Their virtual events show high engagement, cemented by a high return rate for a second day.

On January 13, it is producing “Anatomy of a Winning Sales Tech Stack,” featuring perspective from eight speakers in the technology space looking to the “new normal.”

As for its big global event, WalkMe hopes for an in-person experience with hybrid components in mid-2021.

“I haven’t decided if I want to dream COVID will be over and we can do a physical event,” Ezer joked.

 

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

 

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites. Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation. Reinvented Luxury Experiences The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes. New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May. Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.  A “New Wave  for Mandalay Bay A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay. Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center  is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options. From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.